Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42467246›Full record

ReviewIntensive care medicine2026

Key principles for rehabilitation of critically ill patients with obesity.

Sabrina Eggmann, Danielle E Bear, Richard S Bourne, Amy Freeman-Sanderson, Cheryl E Hickmann, Vera Karner, David McWilliams, Dale M Needham, Pierre Singer, Margo van Mol and 3 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Intensive care medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Sabrina EggmannDepartment of Intensive Care and Neonatology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7379-7343
Danielle E BearNutrition and Dietetics Department, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5211-5553
Richard S BourneDepartments of Pharmacy and Critical Care, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0893-525X
Amy Freeman-SandersonAustralian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2161-6421
Cheryl E HickmannExercise and Movement Laboratory, Department of Motor Sciences, Haute École Provinciale du Hainaut (HEPH) Condorcet, Tournai, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4024-0207
Vera KarnerMedical University of Vienna, Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, Clinical Division of General Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Vienna, Austria.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4017-801X
David McWilliamsCentre for Care Excellence, Coventry University, Coventry, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9086-2557
Dale M NeedhamPulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, and School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9538-0557
Pierre SingerIntensive Care Unit, School of Medicine, Herzlia Medical Center, Reichman University, Herzlia, Israel.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0779-9321
Margo van MolDepartment of Intensive Care Adults, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0213-6054
Arthur van ZantenDepartment of Intensive Care Medicine & Research, Gelderse Vallei Hospital, Ede, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6276-7192
Carol L HodgsonAustralian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9002-2075
Stefan J SchallerMedical University of Vienna, Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, Clinical Division of General Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Vienna, Austria. stefan.schaller@meduniwien.ac.at.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6683-9584

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposePatients with obesity who are admitted to an ICU bring specific challenges for rehabilitation during and after critical illness. This narrative review explores impact of differences in body compositions and pathophysiology on outcomes to summarise interprofessional, patient-centred rehabilitation strategies across the trajectory of recovery.

methodsThe interprofessional expert panel reviewed major trials and guidelines, integrating their clinical expertise with the current evidence.

resultsThree distinct phenotypes potentially influence outcomes for survivors. Whilst patients with preserved muscle mass may have a survival advantage, the phenotypes characterised by ectopic visceral fat or sarcopenia are frequently complicated by multimorbidity and polypharmacy, likely increasing the risk of adverse effects such as suboptimal sedation, prolonged ventilation and immobilisation, malnutrition, and impaired recovery. Targeted respiratory interventions, including secretion-clearance techniques and appropriate patient positioning to prevent atelectasis, reduce the work of breathing. Optimisation of communication and swallowing function is an essential component for facilitating safe oral intake and promoting active patient participation in rehabilitation. Concurrently, targeted nutrition strategies combined with early, targeted, progressive mobilisation might mitigate ICU acquired weakness and support functional recovery. The availability of appropriate weight‑based equipment is fundamental to ensuring safe mobilisation for both patients and healthcare professionals.

conclusionInterprofessional collaboration is central to optimising outcomes and should extend beyond the ICU to structured post-ICU follow-up to address persistent, worsening, or newly emerging health impairments. Early rehabilitation in critically ill patients with obesity should integrate physiological, logistical, and psychosocial considerations to support equitable and functional recovery.

Indexed as

Critical IllnessObesityHumansIntensive Care UnitsSarcopeniaCritical careCritical illnessEarly ambulationObesityRehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID42467246
PMCPMC13623789

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.